THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION
MEMORIAL PLAQUES

The first memorial plaque, now at the west end of the diplomatic lobby of the Department of State, was unveiled on March 3, 1933 by Secretary of State Henry Stimson at the entrance of what is now the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, standing next to the White House, which then housed the State, War and Navy Departments. The inscription on this plaque states: "Erected by members of the American Foreign Service Association in honor of diplomatic and consular officers of the United States who while on active duty lost their lives under heroic or tragic circumstances". The establishment of this plaque grew out of efforts in the late 20s and early 30s to establish a "Roll of Honor" naming those who had died by violence or other causes related to service abroad such as tropical diseases. The first name is that of William Palfrey, chosen by the Continental Congress as Consul General to France, who set sail in 1780 and was never heard from again. Travel by sea was dangerous and often fatal in the early years of our country, and tropical diseases also frequently struck down 19th century American representatives.

The first plaque was limited to officers, but after World War II the plaque became open to Foreign Service personnel of all ranks. The second plaque erected in 1972 at the east end of the lobby, during the Vietnam War, carried a new inscription "Erected by the American Foreign Service Association in honor of those Americans who have lost their lives abroad under heroic or other inspirational circumstances while serving the country abroad in foreign affairs." This phrase was generally interpreted to comprehend the distinctive dangers, including terrorist acts, of life and work in the Foreign Service. Disease was generally no longer considered after World War II, and terrorism became the chief cause for inscription. Following the terrorist assassination of a U.S. military attaché in Paris in 1982, eligibility was extended to include US Government employees of other agencies serving at embassies, including military personnel. In addition to the current criteria of "heroic and inspirational circumstances," the AFSA Governing Board in 2001 established an additional criterion of "in the line of duty". This new criterion was applied retroactively to Foreign Service personnel.

There are 99 names on the west plaque and 128 on the east plaque, for a total of 227, as of May 2008. It must be emphasized that the names on these plaques represent only a part of the total number of Americans who die of various causes while serving their country overseas. The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) maintains the plaques. The AFSA Awards and Plaques Committee considers proposals for additional names and makes recommendations to the AFSA Governing Board which selects the final names for inscription, based on the criteria established by the 2005 Governing Board.  AFSA organizes unveiling ceremonies in cooperation with the Department of State when new names are added. The last ceremony was held on Foreign Affairs Day, May 2, 2008.   Two additional names were added to the Plaque at the ceremony: Steven Thomas Stefani IV and John Michael Granville.

The names on both plaques may be viewed here.

How to get a name on the memorial plaque.

AFSA Memorial Plaque Ceremony 2008